R80GS not starting (North London)

[kallie121]

Hi everyone

Bought a R80GS a couple of weeks ago, took it to Devon over the weekend. Did not want to start on it's own both days and had to push start. On returning to London, bought a new battery from James Sherlock, charged it with Optimate 4, fitted it and when you push the starter button, it just goes click. Over the weekend it used to go click, click, click but did not want to start. I am not mechanically minded at all. Is there anyone living close to New Barnet who can help please??

Regards
Carl

 

[B Murr]

Hi carl. Have you tried the previous owner, sounds likely that they will know something about whats wrong if you only bought it a couple of weeks ago. I'd only be guessing what click click means but if you know the battery is OK then I would think you have a starter problem, if a valeo starter is fitted then magnets might have unglued themselves.

 

[kallie121]

Previous Owner

Hi

Thanks for the reply. The previous owner said a new battery was fitted, and he knows even less than myself regarding mechanics. From what I have read on the forum, I think it might have something to do with the starter, starter relay or the solenoid. Not that I have a clue where all these "things" are located on the bike.

I do have a Haynes manual and will go through it, but as I have said, I am dangerous when it comes to tools. I normally bugger things up even further.

Carl

 

[MickDB1]

I would clean all the connections and leads to and from battery and to earth
Watch the earth to engine bolt cos it is hollow and easy to break when tightening up if all seems Ok
clip a multimeter to the battery and see if the voltage drops a lot when you press the starter
Did it start on the button after it had been started from cold
good luck

 

[kallie121]

I would clean all the connections and leads to and from battery and to earth
Watch the earth to engine bolt cos it is hollow and easy to break when tightening up if all seems Ok
clip a multimeter to the battery and see if the voltage drops a lot when you press the starter
Did it start on the button after it had been started from cold
good luck

Thanks Mick. Multimeter I know what it is, but will need to learn how to use one!!!
She used to start on the button when I bought her, but started struggling to start as I think I did not ride far enough the first few times I went out on her. And when I fitted the new battery, everything looks clean and in good order from what I can see.

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Sounds very much like the starter motor to me. Probably buggered as has been suggested.
Not difficult to remove but I apprerciate that if you really ar'nt mechanically minded then you do need some help.
If you want to have a go and learn ,I am sure someone on here could give you a blow by blow instruction.
If you get the starter off you can then wire it up to a battery and see if it works at least.

 

[kallie121]

Thanks for the advice, I will have a go. Hopefully it does not end in

 

[Beemerboff]

If you havent yet check the connections on the starter too, but again with care as the threads can be brass - star washers are good practice on all these connections so you dont have to do them up too tight.

If you can connect a jumper lead to the dead side of the solenoid this will tell you if the starter is working and narrow things down a bit.

 

[NLC]

Failing that Steptoe in Wimbeldon is your man who runs GSSHOP. Not sure if you have recovery to get it down to him.

 

[solidstate100]

I had exactly this - turned out to be the starter in the end. Fitted a new valereo one from motorworks, took a day to arrive, about an hour or so to remove the old one and fit the new. In terms or mechanical jobs its one of the easier jobs, you just need to be methodical, the only fiddly bit is removing one of the mounting bolts from the old Bosch starter (which doesn't need to be re fitted on the new valereo starter) which means you have to have the front cover off buts its easily do-able at home.

Good luck!

 

[Rob Farmer]

Steptoes got a trailer but he's swanning about on a Harley now so may not stoop to fixing a mere G/s.

 

[kallie121]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I lifted the tank and fiddled about with the relays, but as I have said I do not really know what I am doing. I have a friend visiting me from Namibia over the next few days, and he is very mechanically minded. He does not know yet that he's coming all the way from Namibia to fix a motorcycle!!! I will of course reward him generously. Once the bike is fixed he can carry on exploring London. He came over here to buy a lorry trailer, aparently still works out a lot cheaper even with the import tax and transport than buying it in Namibia or South Africa!!!

Will keep you updated, and thanks again for the advice. My gutfeeling says it is the starter, although it is only a guess. I unplugged the relays and put them back in again, still no joy. When I connected a power pack to the battery, the bike went click, click, click in rapid succession, like a

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Carl if your friend can't get it sorted send me a pm. If you can jump start the bike and get it to my place close to the M25/A13 junction I can help you take the starter out and figure out what is wrong. I have all the tools and place to work. Will have to be an evening or weekend.

 

[kallie121]

Carl if your friend can't get it sorted send me a pm. If you can jump start the bike and get it to my place close to the M25/A13 junction I can help you take the starter out and figure out what is wrong. I have all the tools and place to work. Will have to be an evening or weekend.

BIG thanks for the offer, might take you up on it and will pm you. Thanks very much.

Regards
Carl

 

[kallie121]

Bl..... battery!!!

Hi all

I bought a new battery, connected it and no joy. My friend from Namibia had a look and said it was the battery. I then took the old battery after recharging it, connected it and the bike started.

Maybe the new battery was a dud??? I will call James Sherlock to sort things out but I do wonder what caused the old battery to go flat, especially travelling all the way to Devon, you would have thought the battery to be charged up????

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Carl